PARLIAMENT:Bubulo West MP Tony Nsubuga Kipoi on Tuesday lost his seat after Parliament adopted recommendations by its Rules committee that he has missed 15 sittings of the House, without a clear reasons explaining his absence.MP Kipoi becomes the second member of the Ninth Parliament to be kicked out after former Army MP Gen David Sejusa was last year ejected on similar grounds.

A report by the Rules, Privileges and Discipline committee ruled that MP Kipoi has defaulted on the voters in Bubulo West, who elected him to Parliament.“That Kipoi be ruled to have ceased to be MP under Article 81(3) of the Constitution and rule 101 of Parliament. The process for his replacement be initiated in accordance with Article (81) 2 of the constitution, ”reads the Committee’s report.Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulayah rejected pleas by some opposition MPs that deliberating on Kipoi’s absence amounted to sub-judice citing a petition in the Constitutional Court seeking to halt parliamentary investigations against MP Kipoi.MPs opposed to the report also argued that their colleague was not given a chance to be heard, violating the rules of natural justice.Mr Odoi, however, referred to the report that made reference to several attempts made at reaching out to Mr Kipoi, which he did not respond to.

Buikwe North MP Lulume Bayiga accused the House of selectively applying the rules, charging that First Lady Janet Museveni [MP Ruhaama] has also missed similar sittings.“The question of attending parliamentary sessions is very important and MPs should take it seriously” "says MP Vincent Kyamadidi

MYSTERY ON HIS WHEREABOUTS:Whereas the elusive legislator is reported to have been arrested by the Congolese forces from an M23 rebel base in the Fataka area, in eastern DR Congo in November last year, he denied the reports, saying he fled Uganda to exile after his bank accounts were frozen by the government.